Japanese restaurant in Singapore introduces 4-day work week with 10% salary raise, solves manpower shortage

After changing the work schedule to a four-day work week, Japanese restaurant Tenya Singapore solved its manpower crunch and was able to fill vacancies compared to zero applicants before the adjustment.

The food and beverage industry was severely hit by the labour shortage caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, leaving staff overworked while companies struggled to hire more employees.

Tenya Singapore, which opened its first outlet in Orchard Central in Oct 2020, was not spared from forcing existing staff to work overtime frequently.

It was reported that one of the branch’s cooks would work up to 60 hours a week, 16 hours more than the total hours specified under the Ministry of Manpower’s (MOM) regulations for Singapore workers.

It was no surprise that the staff thought about resigning, but were informed by management that they were doing something to remedy the situation, reported The Straits Times.

Tenya Singapore introduced its changes in a Facebook post advertising job vacancies on May 6, 2022.

According to the post, the company was looking to fill full-time positions for the kitchen and service crew.

“Currently, Tenya has two outlets in Orchard Central and ION Orchard. More outlets will be opened in Singapore and Malaysia,” the post noted.

In line with the company’s “work-life balance initiative,” Tenya offered benefits such as a four-day work week, career growth, medical and dental benefits, staff discounts, Annual Wage Supplement, annual leave, and birthday vouchers.

It was reported that Tenya’s full-time staff now work 11 hours a day but only four days a week, thus meeting MOM’s 44-hour requirement. The rest of the shifts are handled by part-timers.

Tenya’s administration manager Bhakt Yap said the changes were exactly what they needed to solve the manpower shortage.

Following the implementation in July, all full-time positions were filled. Mr Yap added that even supervisory staff, who didn’t agree initially with the four-day work week idea, applied for the vacancies.

Responding to the changes, netizens hoped other companies would follow suit. “This is smart, and all the staff will be super on the ball for the four work days, knowing there is three days rest to look forward to,” noted Facebook user Andrew Pea Shew Ther.

“Four days work week usually means longer hours per day. Some people with family commitments may not mind, though. They get the next three days to focus on their family,” added Facebook user Janice Tan.

Facebook user Anna Lee commended Tenya’s management for the initiative. “Good for them. The management took the feedback to heart, re-tuned their hours and even a raise.” /TISG

Toxic, racist, sexist, unprofessional, no work-life balance: ex-Shopee employees scathing company reviews